Any American's here go to Europe for Ph.D. programs ?

[MAJOR METAL]

I was wondering if we had any Americans here, who pursued Doctoral studies in Europe ?

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I'm not, but a few friends of mine are from the US and working towards their PhDs over here.

The big limit is funding really.

If you can self fund, you'll have no problem walking into a position here (as long as you have a relevant background).

If you need to rely on funding, you'd need to try and get some from the US. There are some that anyone can apply for over here, but not many. For instance, most of the scholarships in the UK are either UK only or EU only.

Socially, integration shouldn't be a problem, there are people from lots of different cultures and backgrounds in most universities, this is especially true the higher up the academic chain you go.

[rr5025]

I plan on looking at post doctorate stuff in the UK once I get my doctorate but that's get a ways down the road.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Nice, what field do you work in?

[rr5025]

Environmental Science. I really miss the UK and would love to live there again. To be honest I liked living there a lot more than the US. Damn that tea party!

[jp58]

Self funding is a key issue here too. We have so many "minority" scholarships and need stuff that there really isn't a lot left over for a "plain" college student. I've been talking with graduate advisors and admissions officers, and apparently a 3.0+ student with organizational backgrounds and some work experience just isn't as exciting as other students with "varied backgrounds and cultural identities."

No matter though, I'm planning on working and interning right away and then trying to get into grad school after I put a year or two in at a hospital and see if the funding comes and getting in is easier for someone that's "been there, done that, and got the t-shirt" as opposed to a college student with 0 practical experience.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by rr5025

Environmental Science. I really miss the UK and would love to live there again. To be honest I liked living there a lot more than the US. Damn that tea party!

Come on over and grab a brew

Originally Posted by jp58

Self funding is a key issue here too. We have so many "minority" scholarships and need stuff that there really isn't a lot left over for a "plain" college student. I've been talking with graduate advisors and admissions officers, and apparently a 3.0+ student with organizational backgrounds and some work experience just isn't as exciting as other students with "varied backgrounds and cultural identities."

No matter though, I'm planning on working and interning right away and then trying to get into grad school after I put a year or two in at a hospital and see if the funding comes and getting in is easier for someone that's "been there, done that, and got the t-shirt" as opposed to a college student with 0 practical experience.

This depends on the subject and on the supervisor, but, I know some supervisors in my department (physics) who don't like people to have been out of academia, they don't want to deal with someone who has been out in the real world , yet some are the complete opposite. IMO, the key to getting into a PhD position is getting yourself known, be more than a name on an application form!

That's a shame that it is mainly minority scholarships, I'm sure there are some over here, but in general, the scholarship money is granted to the specific PhD program and it is down to the supervisor/department to pick the best person for that program. There are some where a candidate has to agree with a subject matter with a supervisor and then they will try and get funding, but that is less common. Either way, it tends to be the best student that gets picked, regardless of race/colour/creed.

[rr5025]

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

Come on over and grab a brew

I miss Booths sooo much. The wall of beers was heavenly. Hell I even miss Carlsberg Special Brew

[bassic.science]

Funding can also be very dependent on your field of study. In the US, if you get a Ph.D in a physical or life science, your tuition is covered and you get a stipend because those departments tend to bring in large grants on a fairly regular basis. Ph.D liberal arts majors will find it much more difficult to get such financial assistance.

Don't know if it's the same in Europe, I imagine it is.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by bassic.science

Funding can also be very dependent on your field of study. In the US, if you get a Ph.D in a physical or life science, your tuition is covered and you get a stipend because those departments tend to bring in large grants on a fairly regular basis. Ph.D liberal arts majors will find it much more difficult to get such financial assistance.

Don't know if it's the same in Europe, I imagine it is.

Aye, it is that way (I have fee's paid, ~£3k travel money and a stipend, all paid through the EPSRC).

A friend of mine is wanting to take on a PhD in English but struggling to find any sources of funding.

[Bongolation]

Originally Posted by MAJOR METAL

I was wondering if we had any American's here who pursued Doctoral studies in Europe ?

Will they let people who apostrophize plurals into doctorate programs?

[MAJOR METAL]

Originally Posted by Bongolation

Will they let people who apostrophize plurals into doctorate programs?

Yes. Even those with graduate degrees still error.

[smperry]

err.

K, are you serious?!? You want more?

[MAJOR METAL]

Originally Posted by smperry

err.

K, are you serious?!? You want more?

I would remotely entertain the idea if the applications I have out with Uncle Sam do not pan out and the economy continues to lag in its recovery. I am comfortable making the M.A. my terminal degree though.

[smperry]

I hear you on the economy part for sure.

I owe you an email! This week won't be so crazy so you'll hear from me soon.

m